FOUR councils have begun a High Court bid to stop the proposed merger of police forces in the region.

Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley and Solihull councils are launching judicial review proceedings to try to prevent the Government starting the process next month.

Under the new proposals, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands would be merged to form one "superforce".

The four councils claim they have not been properly consulted about the plans and have not received enough information about basic issues such as finance.

In March, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales from 43 to 24 by April 2008.

The Home Office said the move would help police tackle serious and organised crime more effectively, although it has proved controversial with a number of forces.

In a statement, the councils said: "One particular concern is that the effect of the proposed restructuring will lead to higher council tax bills.

"Currently the precept paid by West Midlands Council Tax payers is at a lower level than levied in the surrounding county areas. As a result, residents in the West Midlands could face an increase of up to 40 per cent in the police precept."

The councils are asking the courts to intervene to stop the merger process starting next month and are seeking a 12-month period to allow further consultation to take place.